Animal Species:Long-nosed Lycid Beetle

Standard Common Name

Long-nosed Lycid Beetle

Identification

The red and black colours of the Long-nosed Lycid Beetle are a warning to visual predators that it is highly toxic if eaten. Several other insects including flies, wasps, moths and other beetles, share its colours. Some of these are also toxic, but some are not and gain the same benefit by fraud.

Size range

1 cm - 2 cm

Distribution

The Long-nosed Lycid Beetle is found in eastern Australia.

Habitat

The Long-nosed Lycid Beetle lives in urban areas, forests and woodlands, and heath.

Feeding and Diet

The Long-nosed Lycid Beetle eats nectar.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Long-nosed Lycid Beetle larvae live in leaf litter, under bark or on mouldy wood. It is thought that they feed on moulds.